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Tuesday, 09 December 2008 |
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UK retail sales values fell 2.6 per cent on a like-for-like basis, from November 2007, when they had risen 1.2 per cent. Total sales
were lower than a year ago, as in October. This was the first time since the survey began in January 1995 that sales declined for two consecutive months.
Despite extensive heavy discounting, clothing and footwear, furniture and big-ticket homewares fell further below year-earlier levels. "Retailers will be hoping that customers have been putting off Christmas shopping - not cancelling it". Discounts and promotions continued but often failed to tempt customers unless they perceived value or really needed the product.
Stephen Robertson, Director General, British Retail Consortium, said: “The numbers speak for themselves - these are clearly tough times. In the 14 years of this survey we have never recorded two consecutive months of total sales falls. Like-for-like sales have now fallen in eight out of the last nine months.
"Retailers will be hoping that customers have been putting off Christmas shopping - not cancelling it. “With money tight at the moment shoppers can take advantage of the extraordinary levels of deals, offers and promotions. The recent VAT and interest rate cuts may also provide some stimulation.”
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